Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
NOVA
The work never ends as the launch for RealityPlus looms ahead, resulting in more late nights at the office. And, after all, since we’ve been working so closely together, it only makes sense to share meals. I try to tell myself that these personal conversations could be what ends up revealing the information I need to complete my story. But with each laugh and glance, I find myself falling deeper, despite the guilt gnawing at me. As he touches my hand, I push the thought away, savoring the moment.
Outside the restaurant, the cool air hits us. Liam's hand on my back makes my heart flutter. Under the streetlights, his intense gaze meets mine. The city fades, leaving just us.
Liam takes a step closer. My breath catches in my throat. There's barely an inch between us now. I can smell his cologne, a mix of citrus and wood that makes my head spin.
"Nova," he murmurs, his voice low and husky.
My name on his lips sends a shiver down my spine. I tilt my chin up, meeting his gaze. The air crackles with tension.
Liam hesitates for a heartbeat, then closes the gap. His lips meet mine, and the world explodes into sensation. His kiss is gentle at first, almost questioning. Then it deepens, igniting a fire in my veins.
I melt into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands cup my face, fingers tangling in my hair. Everything else fades away—the mission, the lies, the complications. All that matters is this kiss, this moment.
Liam pulls me closer, his body warm and solid against mine. I part my lips, deepening the kiss. A soft moan escapes me. God, I've wanted this for so long.
Liam breaks the kiss, both of us breathless. He rests his forehead against mine, a smile playing on his lips.
"I've wanted to do that all night," he says softly.
I gaze up at him, my heart pounding. "Me too."
His thumb traces my cheekbone, sending sparks across my skin. I lean into his touch, savoring the moment.
But reality starts to creep back in. What am I doing? This isn't part of the plan. I'm supposed to be exposing him, not falling for him.
Yet as Liam's arms encircle me, I can't bring myself to care. For now, I'll let myself have this perfect moment under the stars.
My heart races, and I can't tear my eyes away from his. His gaze is intense, filled with a warmth that makes my knees weak.
"Nova," Liam murmurs, his voice low and husky. "Would you like to continue this evening at my place?"
A thrill runs through me at his words. My mind whirls with possibilities, excitement battling with a twinge of anxiety. Am I really doing this? Crossing this line with Liam?
Yes. God, yes I want to.
I nod, a bit breathless. "I'd like that a lot."
Liam's smile is radiant, lighting up his entire face. He takes my hand, his touch sending sparks up my arm. As we walk to his car, I'm hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.
The drive to his penthouse is a blur of stolen glances and charged silence. My heart races with anticipation mixed with a twinge of guilt.
Liam’s intoxicating presence makes the elevator ride pure torture. The scent of his cologne and just him makes my head spin.
His penthouse takes my breath away. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning city view. "Wow," I breathe. "This is incredible."
Liam's hand finds the small of my back. "I'm glad you like it. Drink?"
I nod, grateful for the distraction. As Liam moves to the bar, I gaze at the twinkling city lights. This is his world, his sanctuary. And he's invited me in.
And that trust would evaporate in a moment if he knew who I really was…
But as Liam returns, his eyes shining with desire, I push those thoughts away. I’ll face the consequences of this moment tomorrow.
Our fingers brush as he hands me a glass. "To new beginnings," he says softly.
I sip the wine, my nerves electric. Liam sets our glasses aside, his hand cupping my cheek. "Nova," he breathes.
I meet his gaze, tension crackling. Then his lips capture mine in a searing kiss.
I melt into him, the kiss deepening, igniting a fire in my veins. His hands roam my back, pulling me closer.
Liam's eyes darken with an unspoken question. He leads me to the bedroom, a study in minimalist luxury. Our kisses grow slower, deeper. Clothes fall away as we explore each other, drinking in the sight of bare skin.
"You're beautiful," Liam murmurs, his eyes roaming my body.
Heat rushes to my cheeks. I reach for him, pulling him close. Our bodies press together, skin on skin. I gasp at the sensation.
Liam guides me to the bed, laying me down with infinite tenderness. He hovers over me, his eyes locked on mine. "Is this okay?" he asks softly, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.
I nod, unable to find my voice, drowning in the intensity of his gaze. Liam smiles, a slow, sensual curve of his lips that promises pleasure beyond my wildest dreams. He lowers his head, trailing kisses along my neck, his lips hot and demanding against my skin. I arch into him, lost in sensation, as his mouth moves lower, exploring every inch of me as if it were a sacred ground.
His hands roam my body, tracing the curves and valleys with a reverence that leaves me breathless. Each touch is a spark, igniting a fire that burns deep within me. I can feel the rough calluses on his fingers, a testament to his dedication and passion, as they graze my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
Liam's mouth moves lower, kissing and nipping at my collarbone before trailing down to the swell of my breasts. He takes his time, lavishing attention on each one, his tongue and teeth teasing my nipples into hard peaks. I gasp, my back arching off the bed as waves of pleasure crash over me.
"You're so responsive," Liam murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. "I love seeing you like this, Nova."
His words send a thrill through me, and I reach up, tangling my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. He chuckles, the sound vibrating against my skin, before continuing his descent. His hands grip my hips, holding me in place as he trails kisses down my stomach, dipping his tongue into my belly button and making me squirm.
Liam looks up at me, his eyes dark with desire, as he hooks his fingers into the waistband of my panties, slowly pulling them down. I lift my hips, helping him, my heart pounding in anticipation. He tosses them aside, his gaze never leaving mine, and I feel a rush of heat between my legs, a throbbing need that only he can satisfy.
He settles between my thighs, his broad shoulders spreading me wide open. I can feel his breath, hot and tantalizing, against my most intimate place. He leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my inner thigh, and I shiver, my body tensing with anticipation.
"You smell incredible," he growls, his voice thick with desire. "I can't wait to taste you, Nova. To feel you come apart under my tongue."
I grip the sheets, my body aching with need. He leans in, his tongue tracing a slow, deliberate path up my thigh, before finally, mercifully, reaching my center.
I cry out, my hips bucking off the bed as his tongue delves into my folds, exploring and tasting with a hunger that leaves me breathless. He licks and sucks, his tongue circling my clit before dipping inside me. I can feel the tension building, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter within me.
"Liam," I gasp, my hands fisting in his hair, holding him in place. "Oh God, Liam, please..."
He growls against me, the vibration sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body. His hands grip my hips tighter, holding me in place as he devours me, his tongue and lips working in perfect harmony to drive me to the brink of ecstasy.
I can feel the orgasm building, a wave of pleasure that threatens to consume me. Liam senses it too, and he redoubles his efforts, his tongue flicking against my clit in a relentless rhythm that pushes me over the edge.
I cry out, my body convulsing as the orgasm crashes over me, wave after wave of pleasure leaving me breathless and shaking. Liam stays with me, his tongue gentling, his hands soothing, as he guides me through the aftershocks.
As I come down from the high, I reach for him, pulling him up to me, needing to feel his body against mine. He comes willingly, his lips finding mine in a fierce kiss that tastes of me and him, a heady mix that sends a fresh wave of desire coursing through my veins.
I push against his chest, rolling him onto his back, and straddle his hips. His eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn't protest, his hands coming to rest on my thighs, his thumbs tracing lazy circles against my skin.
"My turn," I murmur, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his lips. I can feel his hardness pressing against me, and I grind against him, eliciting a groan from deep within his chest.
I trail kisses down his neck, my hands exploring the hard planes of his chest and ridges of his abs. He's all muscle and heat, a living, breathing work of art, and I want to explore every inch of him.
My hands find the waistband of his boxers, and I tug them down, freeing his erection. He springs free, hard and thick, and I wrap my hand around him, marveling at the velvety softness of his skin and the steely hardness beneath.
Liam groans, his hips bucking into my touch. "Nova," he growls, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. "You're killing me here."
I smile, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the tip of his cock. He jerks, a hiss escaping his lips, and I can feel the power in my touch, the control I have over his pleasure. It's a thrilling feeling, and I want more.
I take him into my mouth, my tongue swirling around the tip, tasting the salty sweetness of him. He groans, his hands fisting in the sheets, his body tense with need. I take him deeper, my lips and tongue working in tandem to drive him wild.
His hips buck, his cock hitting the back of my throat, and I swallow, taking him even deeper. He curses, his hands finding my hair, tangling in the strands as he guides me, showing me the rhythm he needs.
I can feel the tension building in his body, the muscles in his thighs trembling, his abs clenching. I want to push him over the edge, to feel him come apart under my touch. I intensify my efforts, my hand and mouth working in tandem, driving him closer and closer to the brink.
"Nova," he gasps, his voice a ragged plea. "I'm close, so close..."
I hum around him, feeling him shudder against the sensation. He groans, his hips bucking, his cock throbbing in my mouth. I can taste the saltiness of his pre-come, and I know he's on the edge.
I pull back, releasing him with a pop, my hand still stroking him, keeping him on the brink. He looks down at me, his eyes wild with need, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.
"I want you inside me," I whisper, my voice husky with desire. "I want to feel you, Liam. All of you."
He reaches for me, pulling me up to him, his mouth capturing mine. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, the heat of his body, the hardness of his cock pressing against me.
He rolls us over, his body covering mine, his hips settling between my thighs. I can feel the tip of his cock pressing against my entrance, and I wrap my legs around him, pulling him closer, needing him inside me.
"Nova," he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine, his eyes locked on mine. "Are you sure?"
I nod, my heart pounding, my body aching with need. "Yes," I whisper. "I want this, Liam. I want you."
He reaches for the nightstand, fumbling with a foil packet. I watch, breathless, as he rolls on the condom with practiced ease.
He smiles, a slow, sensual curve of his lips, and then he's pushing inside me, filling me, stretching me, completing me. I gasp, my body arching off the bed, my nails digging into his shoulders.
He stills, giving me time to adjust, his eyes never leaving mine. "You feel incredible," he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. "So tight, so warm, so perfect."
I smile, my body relaxing around him, accepting him, welcoming him. He begins to move, his hips rocking against mine, his cock sliding in and out of me with a rhythm that leaves me breathless.
Each thrust stokes the fire in my core, each withdrawal leaving me aching for more. My muscles begin to throb as they tighten to their limit again in anticipation. Liam's mouth finds mine, his tongue mimicking the thrust of his hips, driving me wild with need.
"Liam," I gasp, my body tensing, my muscles clenching around him. "Oh God, Liam, I'm so close..."
"Come with me, Nova," he growls, his voice a low rumble. "Let go, baby. Let go with me."
And I do. I let go, my body convulsing, my muscles clenching around him as the orgasm crashes over me. Liam follows me over the edge, his body tensing, his cock throbbing within the thin barrier of the condom as he reaches his climax. I feel the pulsing heat of him, even through the latex, as he empties himself.
We collapse together, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts pounding in sync. Liam gently disentangles himself from me, planting a soft kiss on my forehead before padding to the bathroom. He returns with a warm, damp cloth, tenderly cleaning me up. Then he pulls me back into his arms, cradling me against his chest. I nestle closer, my ear pressed to his skin, listening to the rhythmic thump of his heart. The steady beat, combined with the warmth of his embrace and the soothing rise and fall of his chest, lulls me into a peaceful slumber. As I drift off, I feel safe, cherished, and completely at home in Liam's arms.